Jolly Pumpkin Closes in Midtown Detroit; Spiedo Set to Open

Jolly Pumpkin’s Midtown tap house closed after 11 years of operation. Fans learned the news through the brewery’s Facebook and Instagram posts.

Ann Arbor’s Spiedo will move into the former tap house. The new location is set to open in about three months.

Closure and legacy

The Jolly Pumpkin announcement thanked patrons for years of support. It also hinted the brand plans to return to Detroit in the future.

The Midtown site once shared space with Avalon Bakery. In 2016, the location received national attention when then-President Barack Obama stopped by.

Spiedo plans and timeline

Detroit News first reported that Spiedo will take over the Midtown space. Chef and owner Brad Greenhill confirmed the move.

Greenhill expects demolition to begin this week. He says the buildout is modest and focuses on the front of house.

The target opening is roughly three months from the start of work. The Midtown spot features a larger kitchen than the Ann Arbor location.

Chef background

Brad Greenhill owns Takoi and previously operated Magnet. Takoi began as a food truck about 12 years ago.

Takoi now marks roughly 10 years as a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Michigan Avenue in Corktown.

Menu, concept and operations

Spiedo’s cooking will be rooted in Mediterranean flavors. The menu will expand dinner offerings and add more entrees.

Expect sandwiches, rice bowls and vegetable sides similar to the Ann Arbor menu. The concept draws on Southwest Asian and American profiles.

Spiedo uses vertical rotisseries. The kitchen will not rely on traditional wood-fire cooking.

Greenhill says his Takoi influence will remain, with chiles, fish sauce and bold flavors.

Design and neighborhood fit

Interior work for the Midtown Spiedo will be led by Undecorated, founded by Ishtiaq Rafiuddin. The firm has designed Greenhill’s other restaurants.

Midtown’s Canfield block includes Third Man Records, Carhartt, Shinola and several boutiques. Greenhill cited the neighborhood’s density and foot traffic.

Brand footprint and responses

Jolly Pumpkin still operates locations in Ann Arbor, Dexter, East Lansing and Traverse City. The brand is part of a larger restaurant group.

• Pretzel Bell, Grizzly Peak Brewing and The Ranch Honky Tonk operate in Ann Arbor.
• North Peak Brewing is in Traverse City.
• Avalon Bakery and cafes operate in Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Requests for comment to the parent company were not returned on March 30.

Filmogaz.com will follow developments as Spiedo prepares to open in Midtown. Readers can expect updates on construction and an exact opening date soon.